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Cited by 1,326Attachment and Relationship DynamicsChild and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional DevelopmentPsychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research

The Significance of Insecure Attachment and Disorganization in the Development of Children’s Externalizing Behavior: A Meta-Analytic Study

Open access
Fearon, R Pasco, Bakermans-Kranenburg, Marian J, Van IJzendoorn, Marinus H, Lapsley, Anne-Marie, Roisman, Glenn I·2010·Child Development
DOI 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2009.01405.x
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Abstract

This meta-analysis examined whether insecure and disorganized attachments increase risk for externalizing problems in children.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2009.01405.x

Cites

158 of 158 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

2 of 13 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged · accuracy not yet measured

  • Findingown data

    No significant moderator effects were found for insecure-avoidant attachment.

    “No significant moderator effects were found.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The combined effect size for observation-based externalizing assessments was d = 0.58.

    “Larger effects were found for boys (d = 0.35), clinical samples (d = 0.49), and from observation-based outcome assessments (d = 0.58).”
    • Also stated in: § Is Insecure Attachment Associated With More Externalizing Problems? · plain
      “Its combined effect size of d = 0.58 was therefore an adequate estimate of the average effect, which amounted to a quite strong association between attachment security and externalizing behavior.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The effect for disorganized attachment was stronger than the effects for avoidance and resistance.

    “Overall, disorganized children appeared at elevated risk (d = 0.34, CI 0.18, 0.50), with weaker effects for avoidance (d = 0.12, CI 0.03, 0.21) and resistance (d = 0.11, CI -0.04, 0.26).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    When externalizing behavior was observed directly or indexed by a clinical diagnosis, combined effect sizes were larger than when a parent or teacher rated externalizing behavior.

    “When externalizing behavior was observed directly (7 studies) or was indexed by a clinical diagnosis (6 studies) the combined effect sizes were larger than in cases where a parent or teacher rated the level of externalizing behaviors.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    No significant moderator effects were found for insecure-resistant attachment.

    “and no significant moderator effects were found.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 16
  • May combine two claims. 30
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 3

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationcitation

    The effects represent an average across a potentially large number of moderating relationships that could amplify or attenuate the association between attachment and externalizing problems.

    “Furthermore, the effects represent an average across a potentially large number of moderating relationships that could amplify or attenuate the association between attachment and externalizing problems (e.g.Belsky & Fearon, 2002;NICHD ECCRN, 2006).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Belsky & Fearon, 2002 source

      The Results (page unavailable) show that contextual risk moderated the relationship between attachment and behavior problems: attachment-group differences appeared at some risk levels but not others. This supports the possibility that an overall association can mask moderation. The paper examines contextual risk as a moderator, however, and does not establish a potentially large number of moderating relationships; it also measures total behavior problems rather than externalizing problems specifically. (LLM, conf=0.83)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites NICHD ECCRN, 2006

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Belsky and Fearon's (2002) analysis of the NICHD data at age 1-3 years suggested that the effects of attachment tended to persist primarily when there was continuity in the quality of maternal care.

    “It is notable that Belsky and Fearon's (2002) analysis of the NICHD data at age 1-3 years suggested that the effects of attachment tended to persist primarily when there was continuity in the quality of maternal care.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Belsky and Fearon's (2002) source

      The Results section reports that attachment security at 15 months predicted some developmental outcomes at 3 years in the NICHD data. But the analysis examines cumulative contextual risk, not whether attachment effects persisted primarily when the quality of maternal care remained consistent; that condition is unsupported by our copy. Page numbers are unavailable. (LLM, conf=0.84)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The fail-safe number for the disorganized attachment association was k = 407, above the Rosenthal criterion.

    “The fail-safe number amounted to k = 407 which was above the Rosenthal criterion,”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Eight studies had to be trimmed and filled, and the re-computed significant combined effect size for disorganized attachment was d = 0.18 (95% CI 0.01, 0.34).

    “However, eight studies had to be trimmed and filled, with a re-computed significant combined effect size of d = 0.18 (95% CI 0.01, 0.34).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In 69 samples (N = 5947), attachment insecurity was significantly associated with more externalizing problems, with a combined effect size of d = 0.31 (95% CI 0.23, 0.40).

    “From sixty-nine samples (N= 5947), the association between insecurity and externalizing problems was significant, d = 0.31 (95% CI 0.23, 0.40).”
    • Also stated in: § Is Insecure Attachment Associated With More Externalizing Problems? · plain
      “In this overall set we found a significant combined effect size of d = 0.31 (see Table 2).”
    • Also stated in: § Is Insecure Attachment Associated With More Externalizing Problems? · plain
      “Children rated as insecure showed higher levels of externalizing behaviors than children rated as secure.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Clinical status, SES, and type of assessment did not moderate the association between disorganized attachment and externalizing behavior.

    “Clinical status, SES, or type of assessment (for both SSP and externalizing behavior) did not appear to moderate the association between disorganized attachment and externalizing behavior.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the set of 24 SSP studies with N = 3161 participants, the combined effect size for disorganized attachment was d = 0.27 and significant.

    “In the set of 24 SSP studies with N = 3161 participants we found a significant combined effect size of d = 0.27 which was similar to the effect size computed for the total set.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Studies using the SSP yielded the lowest combined effect size (d = 0.18), though this effect was significant.

    “In particular, studies conducted with the AQS showed the largest effect sizes (d = 0.70), whereas studies using the SSP yielded the lowest combined effect size (d = 0.18), though this latter effect was nevertheless significant.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In samples with only girls, the combined effect size for attachment insecurity and externalizing was d = -0.03 and not significant.

    “In samples with only girls the combined effect size was d = -0.03(ns), whereas in the samples with only boys and in the mixed samples (i.e., with boys and girls) the combined effect sizes were significant, d = .35and d = 0.36 respectively, and significantly different from the null effect in the girls-only samples.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: Where the gender composition of a sample was not precisely reported, a 50% split was assumed.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The clinical-sample moderator effect was not dependent on gender differences because only two clinical samples consisted of boys only.

    “This moderator effect was not dependent on gender differences as only two of the clinical samples consisted of boys only (Greenberg et al., 1991;Speltz et al., 1999).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Greenberg et al., 1991 source
    • cites Speltz et al., 1999 source

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In 34 studies including N = 3778 participants, the combined effect size for the association between disorganized attachment and externalizing behavior was d = 0.34 and significant.

    “In 34 studies including N = 3778 participants a significant combined effect size of d = 0.34 (see Table 5) was found for the association between disorganized attachment and externalizing behavior.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the 34 studies (N = 3675) that differentiated insecure-avoidant attachment from other classifications, the combined effect size was d = 0.12, significant but small.

    “In 34 studies involving N = 3675 participants the insecure-avoidant attachment classifications were differentiated from the other classifications, and in this sub-set of studies the combined effect size was only d = 0.12, which was significant but small in magnitude (see Table 3).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In samples with only boys, the combined effect size was d = 0.35 and significant.

    “Larger effects were found for boys (d = 0.35), clinical samples (d = 0.49), and from observation-based outcome assessments (d = 0.58).”
    • Also stated in: § Is Insecure Attachment Associated With More Externalizing Problems? · plain
      “In samples with only girls the combined effect size was d = -0.03(ns), whereas in the samples with only boys and in the mixed samples (i.e., with boys and girls) the combined effect sizes were significant, d = .35and d = 0.36 respectively, and significantly different from the null effect in the girls-only samples.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: Where the gender composition of a sample was not precisely reported, a 50% split was assumed.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In mixed samples, the combined effect size was d = 0.36 and significant.

    “In samples with only girls the combined effect size was d = -0.03(ns), whereas in the samples with only boys and in the mixed samples (i.e., with boys and girls) the combined effect sizes were significant, d = .35and d = 0.36 respectively, and significantly different from the null effect in the girls-only samples.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • The authors state this as an assumption: Where the gender composition of a sample was not precisely reported, a 50% split was assumed.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The 85% confidence intervals overlapped for each comparison between externalizing and aggression outcomes, indicating that study outcomes with externalizing behavior or with aggression did not result in significantly different effect sizes.

    “The 85% CIs did overlap for each of these comparisons, indicating that study outcomes with externalizing behavior or with aggression did not result in significantly different effect sizes.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingcitation

    Few studies have attempted to address the extent to which longitudinal continuities in the effects of attachment represent ongoing supportive function versus early effects on stable psychological structures.

    “Given the centrality of this issue and the cogent arguments made by several authors on this subject (e.g.Sameroff, 2000;Sroufe et al., 2005), it is unfortunate that few studies have attempted to address this.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Sameroff, 2000 source
    • cites Sroufe et al., 2005

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The set of studies on girls was homogeneous; therefore the absence of a significant association was not due to one or a few outlying outcomes in the lower range.

    “The set of studies on girls was homogeneous; therefore the absence of a significant association was not due to one or a few outlying outcomes in the lower range.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingnone given

    Few if any of the studies reviewed in this paper directly addressed questions of mechanism.

    “It is highly noteworthy that few if any of the studies reviewed in this paper directly addressed questions of mechanism.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    While the confidence intervals for these effects overlapped, disorganized children demonstrated numerically larger effects than the other insecure categories.

    “and while the confidence intervals for these effects overlapped, disorganized children demonstrated numerically larger effects than the other insecure categories.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In the core set of 18 studies, the combined effect size for disorganized versus secure attachment and externalizing was d = 0.27 (p < .01; 85% CI 0.13, 0.41).

    “and for disorganized versus secure attachment the combined effect size was d = 0.27 (p < .01;85% CI 0.13, 0.41).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    For all three comparisons, the 85% confidence intervals overlapped, implying that the effects of the various types of insecurity showed similar associations with externalizing behavior.

    “For all three comparisons, the 85% confidence intervals overlapped, implying that the effects of the various types of insecurity showed similar associations with externalizing behavior.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    When only studies that provided direct pairwise comparisons between groups were considered, secure children scored lower on measures of externalizing problems than disorganized (d = 0.27), avoidant (d = 0.12) and resistant (d = 0.19) children.

    “When only studies that provided direct pairwise comparisons between groups were considered, secure children scored lower on measures of externalizing problems than disorganized (d = 0.27), avoidant (d = 0.12) and resistant (d = 0.19) children;”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The 85% confidence intervals of the combined effect sizes for attachment security and disorganization did not overlap with the 85% confidence interval for avoidance, but for the other comparisons the 85% confidence intervals overlapped.

    “The 85% confidence intervals of the combined effect sizes for attachment security and disorganization did not overlap with the 85% confidence interval of the combined effect size for avoidance, but for the other comparisons the 85% confidence intervals overlapped.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Age was not a significant regressor within the SSP studies or within the non-SSP studies, so a substantial portion of the overall effect came exclusively from the difference between the SSP studies and the other assessment types.

    “Notably, age was not a significant regressor within the SSP studies or within the non-SSP studies, so a substantial portion of the overall effect came exclusively from the difference between the SSP studies on the one hand and the other assessment types on the other.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The effect for resistance did not differ from any of the other contrasts, in part because this effect showed marked heterogeneity.

    “The effect for resistance did not differ from any of the other contrasts, in part because this effect showed marked heterogeneity.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In the core set of 18 studies, the combined effect size for resistant versus secure attachment and externalizing was d = 0.19 (p < .01; 85% CI 0.11, 0.28).

    “For resistant versus secure attachment it was d = 0.19 (p < .01;85% CI 0.11, 0.28),”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In a core set of 19 studies providing data on all four comparisons, the combined effect size for attachment security and externalizing was d = 0.27 (p < .01; 85% CI 0.15, 0.39).

    “For the association between attachment security and externalizing the combined effect size was d = 0.27 (p < .01;85% CI 0.15, 0.39).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Although the AQS evidenced the strongest effect sizes by some margin (d = 0.70), the meta-regression of age on effect size remained significant even when the AQS was removed from the analysis.

    “Although the AQS evidenced the strongest effect sizes by some margin (d = 0.70), the meta-regression of age on effect size remained significant even when the AQS was removed from the analysis.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    A majority of the studies included in the analysis were longitudinal investigations, where independent and dependent variables were measured often several years apart (with an intervening period of 25 months on average).

    “The combined effect found in this analysis gains even greater significance in light of the fact that a majority of the studies included in the analysis were longitudinal investigations, where independent and dependent variables were measured often several years apart (with an intervening period of 25 months on average).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The SSP produced smaller effect sizes than the other attachment assessments and the AQS produced comparatively larger effect sizes.

    “Broadly speaking, the SSP produced smaller effect sizes than the other attachment assessments and the AQS produced comparatively larger effect sizes.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the larger set of studies, resistant attachment was not significantly associated with externalizing problems and showed an effect size numerically similar to that for avoidance.

    “Furthermore, in the larger set of studies, resistant attachment was not significantly associated with externalizing problems and showed an effect size numerically similar to that for avoidance.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Findingnone given

    Few studies have directly considered the possibility that certain parenting characteristics may be common determinants of both attachment insecurity and externalizing behavior problems.

    “Related to this, few studies have directly considered the possibility that certain parenting characteristics may be common determinants of both attachment insecurity and externalizing behavior problems.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    No outliers were found for study effect sizes.

    “No outliers (standardized Z-values smaller than -3.29 or larger than 3.29; Tabachnik & Fidell, 2001) were found for study effect sizes.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    Intercoder agreement across moderator variables was 97% (correlations between continuous moderators were > .95).

    “The agreement between the coders across the moderator variables was 97% (correlations between continuous moderators were > .95).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisereasoning

    There is little case for causality if there is no association between attachment insecurity and externalizing psychopathology.

    “The question of whether attachment insecurity plays a causal role in the development of externalizing psychopathology is a vital one for the field, but there is clearly little case for causality if there is no association.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    Twenty randomly selected studies were coded by two coders to assess intercoder reliability.

    “To assess intercoder reliability, twenty randomly selected studies were coded by two coders.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Premisecitation

    Internal working models are organized cognitive-affective psychological structures that organize thinking, feeling and behavior vis-à-vis the attachment figure as a potential haven of safety and comfort in times of stress.

    “This important conceptual heuristic is thought of as a set of organized cognitive-affective psychological structures that organize thinking, feeling and behavior vis-à-vis the attachment figure as a potential haven of safety and comfort in times of stress (Bretherton, 1995;Main, Kaplan & Cassidy, 1985).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Bretherton, 1995

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites Main, Kaplan & Cassidy, 1985 source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Secure children have had repeated experiences of a caregiver who is responsive when support and proximity are needed and expect the caregiver(s) to be available and comforting when called upon.

    “Secure children, it is maintained, have had repeated experiences of a caregiver who is responsive when support and proximity are needed and expect the caregiver(s) to be available and comforting when called upon.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Kobak, Cassidy, Lyons Ruth, & Ziv, 2005

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    The claim that early attachment has enduring rather than merely transient effects on development requires that the magnitude of such associations are not reduced to nil over time.

    “The claim that early attachment has enduring-rather than merely transient-effects on development requires that the magnitude of such associations are not reduced to nil over time.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductown data

    The literature search was systematic across PsychInfo, Web of Science, MEDLINE, Science Citation Index Expanded, Social Sciences Citation Index, and Art & Humanities Citation Index.

    “We systematically searched the electronic databases PsychInfo, Web of Science, MEDLINE, Science Citation Index Expanded, Social Sciences Citation Index, and Art & Humanities Citation Index”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    The effects are uncorrected for the influence of relevant third variables.

    “Third, the effects are uncorrected for the influence of relevant third variables.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Security assessed by the AQS was more strongly associated with behavior problems than that derived from the SSP, and later assessments of attachment beyond the SSP also appeared to yield stronger effect sizes.

    “Thus, while it was clear that security assessed by the AQS was rather more strongly associated with behavior problems than that derived from the SSP, later assessments of attachment beyond the SSP also appeared to yield stronger effect sizes.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationnone given

    The effects reported in this meta-analysis reflect statistical association, not causation.

    “Second, the effects reported in this meta-analysis reflect statistical association, not causation and-although they provide evidence relevant to efforts to determine causality and its mechanisms-alone they are mute on this issue.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    These robust findings lend direct support to the notion that attachment plays a significant role in the evolution of children's behavior problems, for typically developing children as well as for clinical groups.

    “On the face of it, these robust findings lend direct support to the notion that attachment plays a significant role in the evolution of children's behavior problems, for typically developing children as well as for clinical groups.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    The mixed samples, constituting the large majority of the studies, showed equally strong effect sizes as those with only boys, suggesting that the association between attachment and externalizing cannot be ascribed to boys only.

    “Nevertheless, the mixed samples, constituting the large majority of the studies, showed equally strong effect sizes as those with only boys, suggesting that the association between attachment and externalizing cannot be ascribed to boys only.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    These effect sizes do not reflect the outcomes of the same set of studies so direct comparisons are difficult.

    “It should be noted that these effect sizes do not reflect the outcomes of the same set of studies so direct comparisons are difficult.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
46 of 46

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    Where the gender composition of a sample was not precisely reported, a 50% split was assumed.

    “Where the gender composition of the sample was not precisely reported we assumed a 50% split.”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    When socio-economic status was not noted, a default of high/middle class was recorded.

    “Furthermore, when socio-economic status was not noted, a default of high/middle class was recorded (this occurred in 5 cases).”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    Fixed effects models assume that effect sizes observed in a study estimate the corresponding population effect with random error that stems only from subject-level sampling error.

    “Fixed effects models are based on the assumption that effect sizes observed in a study estimate the corresponding population effect with random error that stems only from the chance factors associated with subject-level sampling error in that study (Lipsey & Wilson, 2001;Rosenthal, 1991).”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    The trim-and-fill method assumes that funnel plots are symmetric only if no data censoring is present.

    “The plots should only be shaped like a funnel if no data censoring is present.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The SSP is the gold standard for measuring attachment security.

    “Because the SSP is considered to be the gold standard for measuring attachment security”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    SSPs are usually conducted within a small age window of 12-18 months.

    “Because the SSPs are usually conducted within a small age window of 12-18 months”
6 of 6

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Meta-analyses have shown that children with insecure and disorganized attachment have greater risk for concurrent and later internalizing and externalizing difficulties and psychiatric disorders in adulthood.

    “Meta-analyses have shown that, in general, children with insecure and disorganized attachment have greater risk for concurrent and later internalizing and externalizing difficulties (Fearon et al. 2010, Groh et al. 2012) and psychiatric disorders in adulthood (Raby et al. 2018).”

    From Child Sexual Abuse as a Unique Risk Factor for the Development of Psychopathology: The Compounded Convergence of Mechanisms (2021) · cites this paper as Fearon et al. 2010

    The Abstract reports that insecure and disorganized attachment are associated with children's externalizing problems, and Additional analyses report that the association persisted across longer follow-up periods. The Literature Search says studies that did not distinguish externalizing from internalizing problems were excluded; this paper does not establish the internalizing part of the claim. The adulthood claim is cited to Raby et al., not Fearon et al. (LLM, conf=0.90)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Fearon et al.'s meta-analysis found externalizing problems linked to insecure infant and early childhood patterns, including disorganized patterns, with weaker effects for avoidance and resistance.

    “In a meta-analysis, Fearon, Bakersman-Kranenburg, van IJzendoorn, Lapsley and Roisman (2010) reported that externalizing problems were linked with insecure patterns in infancy and early childhood, including disorganized patterns, with weaker effects for avoidance and resistance.”

    From Prospective Relations between Family Conflict and Adolescent Maladjustment: Security in the Family System as a Mediating Process (2015) · cites this paper as Fearon, Bakersman-Kranenburg, van IJzendoorn, Lapsley and Roisman, 2010

  • Insecure and especially disorganized attachment are implicated in the development of child psychopathology.

    “Second, there are numerous studies implicating insecure and especially disorganized attachment in the development of child psychopathology (see DeKlyen and Greenberg; 25 Fearon et al.; 26 Guttman-Steinmetz and Crowell 27 for reviews).”

    From Recovering from early deprivation: attachment mediates effects of caregiving on psychopathology (2012) · cites this paper as [26]

  • Infant attachment disorganization is meta-analytically associated with serious family risk factors, including poverty, maternal psychiatric disorder, and maltreatment, as well as later externalizing behavior problems.

    “infant attachment disorganization has been meta-analytically associated with serious family risk factors, including poverty, maternal psychiatric disorder, and maltreatment, as well as later externalizing behavior problems (2, 3).”

    From Disorganized attachment in infancy predicts greater amygdala volume in adulthood (2016) · cites this paper as [3]

  • Meta-analyses indicate that insecure and particularly disorganized attachment relationships in infancy predict internalizing and externalizing problems in childhood.

    “with meta-analyses indicating that insecure and particularly disorganized attachment relationships in infancy predict internalizing and externalizing problems in childhood (2–5).”

    From Disorganized attachment in infancy predicts greater amygdala volume in adulthood (2016) · cites this paper as [3]

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • A significant SSP moderator is described as absent

    Major

    The results say there were no significant moderators among the disorganization SSP studies, while Table 5 reports a significant gender contrast for that subset.

  • The stated SES prediction changes direction

    Minor

    The introduction predicts stronger effects in low-SES samples; the discussion instead says larger effects were anticipated in low-risk samples.

  • An excluded study appears in the study table

    Minor

    The methods say the Aviezer study was excluded, but Table 1 lists it among the studies used for the primary analysis.

  • Listed subsamples fall below the stated minimum size

    Minor

    The methods give 26 as the smallest of the 69 independent samples, but Table 1 lists a low-risk subsample of 16.

  • Clinical SSP confidence interval is not centered on its estimate

    Minor

    In Table 5, the reported 95% confidence limits have a midpoint of 0.205, not the reported effect size of 0.26. The gap exceeds rounding to two decimal places.

    Reported 0.26 · recomputed 0.205

  • SES effect sizes are assigned to the wrong groups

    Minor

    The discussion assigns 0.25 to high-SES samples and 0.31 to low-SES samples, respectively. Table 2 assigns those values in the opposite order.

6 of 6

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 16

  1. Bates, 1985, Growing points in attachment theory and research, 167
  2. Belsky, 1988, Clinical implications of attachment
  3. Borenstein, 2005, Comprehensive meta-analysis: A computer program for research synthesis [Computer software]
  4. Bowlby, 1944, Fourty-four juvenile theives: Their characters and home life, International Journal of Psycho-Analysis, 25, 19
  5. Bretherton, 1995, 4th Rochester Symposium on Developmental Psychopathology on “Emotion, Cognition, and Representation”, 231
  6. Cassidy, 1994, The development of attachment regulation, 228
  7. Cassidy, 1989, Attachment organization in three and four year olds: Coding guidelines
  8. Freud, 1908, Ueber infantile Sexualtheorien
  9. Goldberg, 1997, Attachment and psychopathology, 171
  10. James, 1890, Principles of psychology
  11. Kobak, 2005, Developmental psychopathology, Vol. I: Theory and method, 333
  12. Main, 1990, Attachment in the preschool years: Theory, research, and intervention. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation series on mental health and development, 121
  13. Mullen, 1985, BASIC meta-analysis
  14. Perez Corres, 2006, Unpublished doctoral dissertation
  15. Sroufe, 1983, Infant-caregiver attachment and patterns of adaptation in preschool: The roots of maladaption and competence
  16. Van IJzendoorn, 1992, Beyond the parent: The role of other adults in children’s lives, 5

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Authors
Fearon, R. P., Bakermans-Kranenburg, M. J., Van IJzendoorn, M. H., Lapsley, A.-M., & Roisman, G. I.
Affiliations
  • University of Reading
  • University of Leiden
  • Barnet Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust (GB)
  • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (US)
ORCID
Roisman, Glenn I
Venue
Child Development
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2010-03-01
Volume
81
Issue
2
Pages
435-456
ISSN
  • 0009-3920 (ISSN-L)
  • 1467-8624
DOI
10.1111/j.1467-8624.2009.01405.x
OpenAlex
W2114691966
Cited by
1,326
References
151
Citations by year
2026: 47 · 2025: 102 · 2024: 77 · 2023: 86 · 2022: 89 · 2021: 128 · 2020: 117 · 2019: 111 · 2018: 92 · 2017: 102 · 2016: 100 · 2015: 84 · 2014: 67 · 2013: 47 · 2012: 44
FWCI
4.79
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Child Development (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • CentAUR (University of Reading) (submittedVersion)
  • UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
Keywords
insecure attachment, disorganized attachment, externalizing problems, attachment security, attachment avoidance, Strange Situation Procedure, child mental health, sex differences, clinical samples
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Aggression, Anxiety, Separation, Child, Child Behavior Disorders, Child, Preschool, Female, Humans, Infant, Internal-External Control, Male, Mother-Child Relations, Object Attachment, Personality Assessment, Risk Factors, Sex Factors, Reactive Attachment Disorder

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Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-11.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-11.

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